Evaluation of ethanol in commercial hand sanitizers and their stability after opening amid COVID-19 pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic has led to a surge in the use of hand sanitizers, particularly those containing ethanol. A recent study sought to evaluate the ethanol content of hand sanitizers available in the market and investigate its stability under various conditions over time. The researchers used the headspace gas chromatography analytical method, which was validated for specificity, linearity range, accuracy, precision, and uncertainty. The results showed a strong correlation between the analyzed and reference material values, indicating high accuracy. However, a quarter of the hand sanitizer products analyzed did not meet the required standard, and the ethanol content decreased over time. This decrease could reduce the disinfection efficiency of the product, emphasizing the importance of quality control and proper storage. Optimal placement of product bottles is also necessary to maintain the effectiveness of sterilization